Part 127 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to Part 126 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Part 128 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
[5.] Fifthly, The more extensive a man's obedience is to divine commands—the greater measure of holiness that man has attained to. Caleb had a very great measure of the spirit of holiness upon him; and he is said to have followed the Lord fully; that is—his obedience was full, universal, resolute, and constant to the end.
The contrary is affirmed of Solomon in 1 Kings 11:6, "And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father," that is—his obedience was not so full, so universal, so sincere, so resolute, and so constant as David his father's was. Zacharias and Elizabeth were people of great holiness, and their obedience was very extensive; for they walked blameless not only in some—but in all the commandments, and not only in all the commandments—but also in all the ordinances of the Lord, Luke 1:5-6. Their obedience was of such a universal extent and latitude, that it comprehended and took in all the duties both of their general and particular callings; they had an eye to the duties of the second table, as well as they had an eye to the duties of the first; and they subjected themselves to the duties of their particular calling, as well as to the duties of their general calling. As they had an eye to mint, anise, and cumin, Mat. 23:23, that is, to the lesser and lower duties of religion—just so, they had an eye to the greater and weightier duties of religion, namely, judgment, mercy, and faith, etc.
But some at their first conversion, and while they remain weak in grace and holiness—their obedience is more strait and narrow; for commonly they spend much, if not most, of their time in praying, fasting, hearing, reading, Christian conference, etc., and neglect a hundred other duties which are incumbent upon them; they are very forward and warm in the duties of their general calling—but very cold and remiss in the duties of their particular calling; they are very frequent and fervent in some duties, and very rare in other duties. But the more they grow in grace and holiness, the more extensive will their obedience be, and the more their hearts will be dilated and extended to all the duties both of the first and second table. But,